Good morning. Here’s your Daily Situational Awareness for Thursday, 12 May 2022. You can receive this daily briefing by signing up at https://forwardobserver.com/daily-sa
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
U.S. SENDS ANOTHER SHIP THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT: The U.S. sent a second ship, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal, through the Taiwan Straits Tuesday following a flurry of exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan by China’s PLA-Navy. Friday, China sent an 18-plane strike package through Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) while conducting exercises with advanced fighter aircraft and H-6 long range heavy bombers. The tit-for-tat exercise and ship transits are signs of escalating tensions as a number of U.S. diplomatic and military delegations are visiting Taiwan for discussions with its leaders and defense officials. – M.M.
PUTIN SWAPS FSB FOR GRU IN UKRAINE WAR: Following a string of operational and intelligence failures, Russian President Putin relieved the Federal Security Service (FSB) from intelligence support to the Ukraine war. Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) is leading the effort now as previous FSB leadership is allegedly under house arrest. – D.M.
EIA WARNS OF FUEL SHORTAGES: The latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that oil refinery capacity is likely to top out this summer, limiting production of gasoline and diesel. Meanwhile, as we reported earlier in the year, fuel inventories remain low, especially on the East Coast where fuel shortages are now expected. There are so far unconfirmed reports of East Coast truck stops running out of diesel. – M.S.
BIDEN FURIOUS ABOUT UKRAINE INTEL LEAKS: President Biden is reportedly furious about leaks from U.S. intelligence detailing support to lethal targeting of Russian generals and maritime assets in Ukraine. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “His view is that it was an overstatement of our role — an inaccurate statement — and also an understatement of the Ukrainians’ role and their leadership.” The administration is concerned the intelligence leaks will escalate the conflict. – D.M.
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